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San Francisco Gun Safety Proposal Passed Unanimously By Board Of Supervisors

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to pass a package of gun safety policies that has already prompted San Francisco's last remaining gun shop to shutter its doors this week.

The package of gun safety policies, authored by Supervisor Mark Farrell, would require the videotaping of all gun and ammunition sales and require the regular electronic transmission of ammunition sales data to the San Francisco Police Department.

High Bridge Arms, the last remaining gun store in San Francisco, plans to permanently close its doors at the end of October.

The business, located at 3185 Mission St. has remained in its current location since the mid-1950s when Olympic shooter and gunsmith Bob Chew opened the shop.

Changing ownership in 1988, High Bridge Arms began exporting firearms to several different countries.

The gun shop announced via Facebook that they have decided to close shop "for many reasons."

Farrell said Tuesday that the he is "unapologetic" about prioritizing the public safety of residents and said that the gun store's decision to close will allow a new business to move into the location.

"If the last remaining gun store chooses to shut down as a result of my legislation, so be it - I would much rather see a preschool, coffee shop or other neighborhood serving business that contributes to the vitality of our City in its place," Farrell said.

Farrell's gun safety policies aim to ensure that dealers' operations are not detrimental to public safety and aims to prevent and detect illegal trafficking of firearms and ammunition by dealers and their employees.

Farrell said the policies also aim to prevent the loss and theft of firearms and ammunition from dealers as well as prevent and detect the sale of firearms and ammunition by dealers to persons who are prohibited by law from possessing these items.

The Board of Supervisors will submit a final vote on the legislation next week and after Mayor Ed Lee signs it, the policies are expected to be in effect by the end of December.

 

© Copyright 2015 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

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